Atopic dermatitis bacteriological infection treatment. Atopic dermatitis in children and adults. What it is

Usually people think about this disease in the spring and autumn, during the off-season. But now it’s winter, not winter, and that’s why outbreaks of atopic dermatitis are right here. This disease has many names: constitutional eczema... But the essence is the same: a hereditary, immune-allergic disease. Is it possible to get rid of the disease forever and how?

Strange manifestations of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (from the Greek "atopos" - strange, wonderful) - really strange phenomenon. Sometimes an exacerbation is preceded by severe stress, and immediately the neck and arms become covered with eczema - an itchy, weeping crust, which is not so easy to get rid of. In addition to the neck and elbow bends of the arms, favorite places for localization of itchy crusts are the skin around the eyes, mouth (cheilitis), in the area of the earlobes, and popliteal fossae. The area of skin damage can be completely local.

Where else does atopic dermatitis live?

But atopic dermatitis, as a rule, is not limited to one skin. Often, skin lesions are accompanied by a respiratory syndrome, reminiscent in its manifestations of attacks of bronchial asthma. Often such patients (in childhood) are unsuccessfully treated for adenoids. Until the sufferer gets an appointment with... an allergist-dermatologist. Such combined forms of the disease have recently become more and more common, which most experts attribute to the deteriorating environmental situation.

When the disease appears

As a rule, the disease manifests itself in early childhood, but can also appear in adulthood, either fading or reappearing. Anything can serve as an impetus for an exacerbation: puberty (in childhood), emotional overload (in the same children, outbreaks of atopic dermatitis often coincide with the first outbreak of kindergarten and to school). As well as taking antibiotics, eating disorders, etc. The disease is often seasonal. Spring and autumn for atopics are the most hard times, which many experts associate with weather changes (autumn) and the flowering period of pollen-bearing plants (spring). Well, now that we have winter - not winter, but something like March, don’t be surprised if the disease manifests itself “in all its glory”

Atopic dermatitis is a multifactorial disease

However, despite the similarity of development mechanisms, atopic dermatitis is not a purely allergic disease, as it might seem at first glance. This disease is multifactorial. Atopic dermatitis may be based on hereditary weakness of the endocrine, nervous and/or immune systems. Everyone has their own Achilles heel, which only an experienced doctor can determine. Along with a visual examination and analysis of the patient’s complaints, a specific allergological examination, a study of the immune status, a stool test for dysbacteriosis, etc. helps to reveal the truth.

How to treat atopic dermatitis

The success of treatment, which is purely individual in each specific case, depends on the competent actions of the doctor. Some are helped by long-acting antihistamines, others by hormonal drugs (in the form of ointments or sprays for respiratory manifestations of the disease), others by immunostimulants or, conversely, immunosuppressants that suppress excessive activity of the immune system. And for some, the only salvation from exacerbations of the disease is moving to another climate zone with a dry, warm climate. It has been noticed that sun rays suppress the activity of complexes that form the atopic reaction. The main method of physiotherapy for atopic dermatitis is based on the same principle - selective phototherapy, which looks like a solarium. Only unlike this popular cosmetic procedure phototherapy uses mid-wave (UVB) and long-wave (UVA) ultraviolet rays, which have a milder effect . In especially severe cases, when eczema covers the entire body, they resort to a more serious version of this procedure, using photosensitizers (substances that enhance the effects of ultraviolet rays) . Fortunately, such situations rarely arise.

How not to start the disease

The sooner you start fighting the disease, the better. Without adequate treatment, atopic dermatitis is fraught with quite serious consequences, ranging from infection of skin areas affected by eczema to the development of bronchial asthma. Often people suffering from atopic dermatitis contract new diseases. Losing its protective functions, their skin becomes especially vulnerable to molluscum contagiosum, flat warts, fungal and other skin infections. Psychological disorders and neuroses often occur against the background of atopic dermatitis. In this case, you cannot do without modern antidepressants, which are prescribed not only to adults, but also to children.

How to learn to live with illness

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely get rid of atopic dermatitis. In some cases, the disease may seem to “fall asleep”, but then flare up again. You need to learn to live with this disease. How? Trying to lead a measured lifestyle, avoiding stressful situations, traveling to the south every year (to a hot, dry climate), and in the off-season to a sanatorium. Outside of an exacerbation, the entire range of sanatorium-resort procedures (with the exception of mud applications) is useful. Acupuncture, electrophoresis with diphenhydramine, novocaine also have a good preventive and therapeutic effect for atopic dermatitis.

Diet is secondary

But following a diet for atopic dermatitis, as a rule, is of a secondary nature. Patients and their loved ones (if we are talking about a child) usually know themselves which foods they should avoid. True, you need to eat often and in small doses, trying to ensure that your diet contains foods that contribute to good digestion(constipation is a frequent companion to this disease).

How important it is to avoid self-medication

Recently, self-medication has become very common. In the case of atopic dermatitis, this may have fatal consequences. Especially when it comes to hormonal drugs. If they are used inadequately and if they are abruptly discontinued, you can get an even greater exacerbation of the disease than before taking them. Not to mention the serious side effects of such therapy, which only a doctor can prescribe. The leading doctor for patients with atopic dermatitis should be a dermatologist, interacting with an allergist and other specialists (neurologist, gastroenterologist).

Start your treatment in your apartment

Often the source of torment for the patient is in... his own apartment:

Try to keep it clean, especially if there are animals in the house. In this case, you cannot do without frequent wet cleaning. Prevent mold from forming in the kitchen and bathroom. Try to reduce contact with household products. Remove carpets from walls and floors, and thick curtains from windows; do not pile up books or keep them in glass cabinets.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

What is atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis- it is genetically determined, chronic illness skin. Typical clinical manifestations of this pathology are eczematous rash, pruritus and dry skin.
At the moment, the problem of atopic dermatitis has become global, because the increase in incidence in recent decades has increased several times. Thus, in children under one year of age, atopic dermatitis is registered in 5 percent of cases. In the adult population, this figure is slightly lower and varies from 1 to 2 percent.

For the first time, the term “atopy” (which from Greek means unusual, alien) was proposed by scientists Coca. By atopy he understood a group of hereditary forms of increased sensitivity of the body to various influences external environment.
Today, the term “atopy” refers to a hereditary form of allergy, which is characterized by the presence of IgE antibodies. The reasons for the development of this phenomenon are not completely clear. Synonyms for atopic dermatitis are constitutional eczema, constitutional neurodermatitis and prurigo (or pruritus) of Beignet.

Statistics on atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases among the child population. Among girls, this allergic disease occurs 2 times more often than among boys. Various studies in this area confirm the fact that residents of large cities are most susceptible to atopic dermatitis.

Among the factors that accompany the development of childhood atopic dermatitis, the most significant is heredity. So, if one of the parents suffers from this skin disease, the likelihood that the child will have a similar diagnosis reaches 50 percent. If both parents have a history of the disease, the chances of a child being born with atopic dermatitis increase to 75 percent. Statistics show that in 90 percent of cases, this disease manifests itself between the ages of 1 and 5 years. Very often, in about 60 percent of cases, the disease debuts before the child reaches one year of age. Much less often, the first manifestations of atopic dermatitis occur in adulthood.

Atopic dermatitis is a disease that has become widespread in recent decades. Thus, in the United States of America, at the moment, compared with data twenty years ago, the number of patients with atopic dermatitis has doubled. Official data suggests that today 40 percent of the world's population is struggling with this disease.

Causes of atopic dermatitis

The causes of atopic dermatitis, like many immune diseases, remain not fully understood today. There are several theories regarding the origin of atopic dermatitis. Today, the most convincing theory is the theory of allergic genesis, the theory of impaired cellular immunity and the hereditary theory. In addition to the direct causes of atopic dermatitis, there are also risk factors for this disease.

Theories for the development of atopic dermatitis are:

theory of allergic genesis;
genetic theory of atopic dermatitis;
theory of impaired cellular immunity.

Theory of allergic genesis

This theory connects the development of atopic dermatitis with congenital sensitization of the body. Sensitization is the body's increased sensitivity to certain allergens. This phenomenon is accompanied by increased secretion of immunoglobulins E (IgE). Most often, the body develops increased sensitivity to food allergens, that is, to food products. Food sensitization is most common in infants and preschool children. Adults tend to develop sensitization to household allergens, pollen, viruses and bacteria. The result of such sensitization is an increased concentration of IgE antibodies in the serum and the launch immune reactions body. Antibodies of other classes also take part in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, but it is IgE that provokes autoimmune phenomena.

The amount of immunoglobulins correlates (is interrelated) with the severity of the disease. Thus, the higher the concentration of antibodies, the more pronounced the clinical picture of atopic dermatitis. Mast cells, eosinophils, and leukotrienes (representatives of cellular immunity) are also involved in the disruption of immune mechanisms.

If in children the leading mechanism in the development of atopic dermatitis is food allergy, then in adults pollen allergens become of great importance. Pollen allergies among adults occur in 65 percent of cases. Household allergens are in second place (30 percent); epidermal and fungal allergens are in third place.

Frequency of different types of allergens in atopic dermatitis

Genetic theory of atopic dermatitis

Scientists have reliably established the fact that atopic dermatitis is hereditary disease. However, it has not yet been possible to establish the type of inheritance of dermatitis and the level of genetic predisposition. The latter figure varies in different families from 14 to 70 percent. If both parents in a family suffer from atopic dermatitis, the risk for the child is more than 65 percent. If this disease is present in only one parent, the risk for the child is halved.

Theory of impaired cellular immunity

Immunity is represented by humoral and cellular components. Cellular immunity refers to a type of immune response in the development of which neither antibodies nor the compliment system take part. Instead, immune function is carried out by macrophages, T lymphocytes and other immune cells. This system is particularly effective against virus-infected cells, tumor cells and intracellular bacteria. Disturbances at the level of cellular immunity underlie diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Skin lesions, according to experts, are caused by autoimmune aggression.

Risk factors for atopic dermatitis

These factors significantly increase the risk of developing atopic dermatitis. They also influence the severity and duration of the disease. Often, the presence of one or another risk factor is the mechanism that delays the remission of atopic dermatitis. For example, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in a child can hinder recovery for a long time. A similar situation is observed in adults during stress. Stress is a powerful psycho-traumatic factor that not only prevents recovery, but also aggravates the course of the disease.

Risk factors for atopic dermatitis are:

pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
stress;
unfavorable ecological environment.

Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
It is known that the human intestinal system performs a protective function of the body. This function is realized thanks to the abundant intestinal lymphatic system, intestinal flora and immunocompetent cells that it contains. A healthy gastrointestinal system ensures that pathogenic bacteria are neutralized and eliminated from the body. IN lymphatic vessels the intestines are also located a large number of immune cells, which at the right time resist infections. Thus, the intestines are a kind of link in the chain of immunity. Therefore, when there are various pathologies at the level of the intestinal tract, this primarily affects the human immune system. Proof of this is the fact that more than 90 percent of children with atopic dermatitis have various functional and organic pathologies Gastrointestinal tract.

Gastrointestinal diseases that most often accompany atopic dermatitis include:

biliary dyskinesia.

These and numerous other pathologies reduce the intestinal barrier function and trigger the development of atopic dermatitis.

Artificial feeding
Premature transition to artificial formula and early introduction of complementary foods are also risk factors for atopic dermatitis. It is generally accepted that natural breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing atopic dermatitis several times. The reason for this is that breast milk contains maternal immunoglobulins. Later, together with milk, they enter the child’s body and provide him with the formation of immunity for the first time. The child’s body begins to synthesize its own immunoglobulins much later. Therefore, in the early stages of life, the child’s immunity is provided by immunoglobulins from mother’s milk. Premature cessation of breastfeeding weakens the baby's immune system. The consequence of this is numerous abnormalities in the immune system, which increases the risk of developing atopic dermatitis several times.

Stress
Psycho-emotional factors can provoke exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. The influence of these factors reflects the neuro-allergic theory of the development of atopic dermatitis. Today it is generally accepted that atopic dermatitis is not so much a skin disease as a psychosomatic one. This means that the nervous system plays a crucial role in the development of this disease. This is confirmed by the fact that antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs are successfully used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Unfavorable ecological environment
This risk factor has become increasingly important in recent decades. This is explained by the fact that emissions from industrial enterprises create an increased burden on human immunity. An unfavorable environment not only provokes exacerbations of atopic dermatitis, but can also participate in its initial development.

Risk factors are also living conditions, namely the temperature and humidity of the room in which a person lives. Thus, temperatures above 23 degrees and humidity below 60 percent negatively affect the condition of the skin. Such living conditions reduce the resistance (resistance) of the skin and trigger immune mechanisms. The situation is aggravated by the irrational use of synthetic detergents, which can enter the human body through Airways. Soap, shower gel and other hygiene products are irritants and contribute to itching.

Stages of atopic dermatitis

It is customary to distinguish several stages in the development of atopic dermatitis. These stages or phases are characteristic of certain age intervals. Also, each phase has its own symptoms.

The phases of development of atopic dermatitis are:

infant phase;
child phase;
adult phase.

Since the skin is an organ of the immune system, these phases are considered as features of the immune response in different age periods.

Infant phase of atopic dermatitis

This phase develops at the age of 3 – 5 months, rarely at 2 months. This early development The disease is explained by the fact that, starting from 2 months, the child’s lymphoid tissue begins to function. Since this body tissue is a representative of the immune system, its functioning is associated with the onset of atopic dermatitis.

Skin lesions in the infant phase of atopic dermatitis differ from other phases. So, in this period the development of weeping eczema is characteristic. Red, weeping plaques appear on the skin, which quickly become crusted. In parallel with them, papules, blisters and urticarial elements appear. Initially, the rashes are localized in the skin of the cheeks and forehead, without affecting the nasolabial triangle. Further, skin changes affect the surface of the shoulders, forearms, and extensor surfaces of the lower leg. The skin of the buttocks and thighs is often affected. The danger in this phase is that infection can set in very quickly. Atopic dermatitis in the infantile phase is characterized by periodic exacerbations. Remissions are usually short-lived. The disease worsens during teething, the slightest intestinal disorder or a cold. Spontaneous cure is rare. As a rule, the disease moves into the next phase.

Childhood phase of atopic dermatitis
The childhood phase is characterized by a chronic inflammatory process of the skin. At this stage, the development of follicular papules and lichenoid lesions is characteristic. The rash most often affects the area of the elbow and popliteal folds. The rash also affects the flexor surfaces of the wrist joints. In addition to the rashes typical of atopic dermatitis, so-called dyschromia also develops in this phase. They appear as flaky brown lesions.

The course of atopic dermatitis in this phase is also wavy with periodic exacerbations. Exacerbations occur in response to various provoking environmental factors. The relationship with food allergens decreases during this period, but there is increased sensitization (sensitivity) to pollen allergens.

Adult phase of atopic dermatitis
The adult phase of atopic dermatitis coincides with puberty. This stage is characterized by the absence of weeping (eczematous) elements and the predominance of lichenoid foci. The eczematous component is added only during periods of exacerbation. The skin becomes dry, infiltrated rashes appear. The difference between this period is the change in the localization of the rash. So, if in childhood the rash predominates in the area of the folds and rarely affects the face, then in the adult phase of atopic dermatitis it migrates to the skin of the face and neck. On the face, the nasolabial triangle becomes the affected area, which is also not typical for the previous stages. The rash may also cover the hands and upper body. During this period, the seasonality of the disease is also minimally expressed. Basically, atopic dermatitis worsens when exposed to various irritants.

Atopic dermatitis in children

Atopic dermatitis is a disease that begins in infancy. The first symptoms of the disease appear by 2–3 months. It is important to know that atopic dermatitis does not develop until 2 months. Almost all children with atopic dermatitis have a polyvalent allergy. The term "multivalent" means that an allergy develops to several allergens at the same time. The most common allergens are food, dust, and household allergens.

The first symptoms of atopic dermatitis in children are diaper rash. Initially, they appear under the arms, buttock folds, behind the ears and in other places. At the initial stage, diaper rash appears as reddened, slightly swollen areas of the skin. However, very quickly they move into the stage of weeping wounds. The wounds do not heal for a very long time and often become covered with wet crusts. Soon the skin on the baby’s cheeks also becomes chafing and red. The skin of the cheeks very quickly begins to peel off, as a result of which it becomes rough. Another important diagnostic symptom are milky crusts that form on the eyebrows and scalp of a child. Beginning at the age of 2–3 months, these signs reach their maximum development by 6 months. In the first year of life, atopic dermatitis goes away with virtually no remissions. In rare cases, atopic dermatitis begins at one year of age. In this case, it reaches its maximum development by 3–4 years.

Atopic dermatitis in infants

In children of the first year of life, that is, infants, there are two types of atopic dermatitis - seborrheic and nummular. The most common type of atopic dermatitis is seborrheic, which begins to appear from 8 to 9 weeks of life. It is characterized by the formation of small, yellowish scales in the scalp area. At the same time, in the area of the baby’s folds, weeping and difficult-to-heal wounds are detected. The seborrheic type of atopic dermatitis is also called skin fold dermatitis. When an infection occurs, a complication such as erythroderma develops. In this case, the skin of the baby's face, chest and limbs becomes bright red. Erythroderma is accompanied by severe itching, as a result of which the baby becomes restless and constantly cries. Soon, hyperemia (redness of the skin) becomes generalized. The entire skin of the child becomes burgundy and covered with large-plate scales.

The nummular type of atopic dermatitis is less common and develops at the age of 4–6 months. It is characterized by the presence of spotted elements covered with crusts on the skin. These elements are localized mainly on the cheeks, buttocks, and limbs. Like the first type of atopic dermatitis, this form also often transforms into erythroderma.

Development of atopic dermatitis in children

In more than 50 percent of children suffering from atopic dermatitis in the first year of life, it goes away by 2–3 years of age. In other children, atopic dermatitis changes its character. First of all, the localization of the rash changes. Migration of atopic dermatitis into skin folds. In some cases, dermatitis can take the form of palmoplantar dermatosis. As the name suggests, in this case, atopic dermatitis affects exclusively the palmar and plantar surfaces. At the age of 6 years, atopic dermatitis can be localized in the buttocks and inner thighs. This localization can persist until adolescence.

Atopic dermatitis in adults

As a rule, after puberty, atopic dermatitis can take an abortive form, that is, disappear. As you get older, exacerbations become less common, and remissions can drag on for several years. However, a strong psychotraumatic factor can again provoke an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Such factors may include severe somatic (physical) illnesses, stress at work, or family troubles. However, according to most authors, atopic dermatitis in people over 30–40 years of age is a very rare phenomenon.

Incidence of atopic dermatitis in different age groups

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis

The clinical picture of atopic dermatitis is very diverse. Symptoms depend on age, gender, conditions environment and, importantly, from concomitant diseases. Exacerbations of atopic dermatitis coincide with certain age periods.

Age-related periods of exacerbation of atopic dermatitis include:

infant and early childhood(up to 3 years)– this is the period of maximum exacerbation;
age 7 – 8 years– associated with the start of school;
age 12 – 14 years– period of puberty, exacerbation is caused by numerous metabolic changes in the body;
30 years- most often in women.

Also, exacerbations are often associated with seasonal changes (spring - autumn), pregnancy, stress. Almost all authors note a period of remission (disease subsidence) in the summer months. Exacerbations in the spring-summer period occur only in cases where atopic dermatitis develops against the background of hay fever or respiratory atopy.

Characteristic symptoms of atopic dermatitis are:

rash;
dryness and flaking.

Itching with atopic dermatitis

Itching is an integral sign of atopic dermatitis. Moreover, it can persist even when others visible signs There is no more dermatitis. The causes of itching are not fully understood. It is believed that it develops due to too dry skin. However, this does not fully explain the reasons for such intense itching.

Characteristics of itching in atopic dermatitis are:

persistence – itching is present even when there are no other symptoms;
intensity – the itching is very pronounced and persistent;
persistence – itching responds poorly to medication;
increased itching in the evening and at night;
accompanied by scratching.

Persisting (being constantly present) for a long time, itching causes severe suffering to patients. Over time, it becomes the cause of insomnia and psycho-emotional discomfort. It also worsens the general condition and leads to the development of asthenic syndrome.

Dryness and flaking of the skin in atopic dermatitis

Due to the destruction of the natural lipid (fat) membrane of the epidermis, the skin of a patient suffering from dermatitis begins to lose moisture. The consequence of this is a decrease in skin elasticity, dryness and flaking. The development of lichenification zones is also characteristic. Lichenification zones are areas of dry and sharply thickened skin. In these areas, the process of hyperkeratosis occurs, that is, excessive keratinization of the skin.
Lichenoid lesions often form in the area of folds - popliteal, ulnar.

What does skin look like with atopic dermatitis?

The way the skin looks with atopic dermatitis depends on the form of the disease. On initial stages The most common form of the disease is the erythematous form with signs of lichenification. Lichenification is the process of thickening the skin, which is characterized by an increase in its pattern and an increase in pigmentation. In the erythematous form of atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes dry and thickened. It is covered with numerous crusts and small-plate scales. These scales are located in large numbers on the elbows, sides of the neck, and popliteal fossae. In the infant and childhood phases, the skin looks swollen and hyperemic (reddened). In the purely lichenoid form, the skin is even more dry, swollen and has a pronounced skin pattern. The rash is represented by shiny papules, which merge in the center and only remain in small quantities at the periphery. These papules very quickly become covered with small scales. Due to painful itching, scratches, abrasions, and erosions often remain on the skin. Separately, foci of lichenification (thickened skin) are localized on the upper chest, back, and neck.

In the eczematous form of atopic dermatitis, the rashes are limited. They are represented by small blisters, papules, crusts, cracks, which, in turn, are located on flaky areas of the skin. Such limited areas are located on the hands, in the area of the popliteal and elbow folds. In the prurigo-like form of atopic dermatitis, the rash mostly affects the skin of the face. In addition to the above forms of atopic dermatitis, there are also atypical forms. These include “invisible” atopic dermatitis and the urticarial form of atopic dermatitis. In the first case the only symptom The disease is intense itching. There are only traces of scratching on the skin, and no visible rashes are detected.

Both during exacerbation of the disease and during remission, the skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis is dry and flaky. In 2–5 percent of cases, ichthyosis is observed, which is characterized by the presence of numerous small scales. In 10–20 percent of cases, patients experience increased folding (hyperlinearity) of the palms. The skin of the body becomes covered with whitish, shiny papules. On the lateral surfaces of the shoulders, these papules are covered with horny scales. With age, there is increased pigmentation of the skin. Pigment spots, as a rule, are of heterogeneous color and are distinguished by their different color scheme. Reticulate pigmentation, together with increased folding, can be localized on the anterior surface of the neck. This phenomenon gives the neck a dirty appearance (dirty neck symptom).

Patients with atopic dermatitis often develop whitish spots on the face in the cheek area. In the remission stage, signs of the disease may be cheilitis, chronic seizures, cracks on the lips. An indirect sign of atopic dermatitis may be a sallow skin tone, pale facial skin, periorbital darkening (dark circles around the eyes).

Atopic dermatitis on the face

Manifestations of atopic dermatitis on the skin of the face are not always found. Skin changes affect the facial skin in the eczematous form of atopic dermatitis. In this case, erythroderma develops, which in young children affects mainly the cheeks, and in adults also the nasolabial triangle. Young children develop a so-called “bloom” on their cheeks. The skin becomes bright red, swollen, often with numerous cracks. Cracks and weeping wounds quickly become covered with yellowish crusts. The area of the nasolabial triangle in children remains intact.

In adults, changes on the facial skin are of a different nature. The skin takes on an earthy tint and becomes pale. Spots appear on the cheeks of patients. In the remission stage, a sign of the disease may be cheilitis (inflammation of the red border of the lips).

Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis

Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is based on patient complaints, objective examination data and laboratory data. At the appointment, the doctor should carefully question the patient about the onset of the disease and, if possible, about the family history. Large diagnostic value provide information about the illnesses of a brother or sister.

Medical examination for atopic

The doctor begins the examination with the patient's skin. It is important to examine not only the visible areas of the lesion, but also the entire skin. Often the elements of the rash are masked in folds, under the knees, on the elbows. Next, the dermatologist evaluates the nature of the rash, namely the location, number of rash elements, color, and so on.

Diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis are:

Itching is an obligate (strict) sign of atopic dermatitis.
Rashes – the nature and age at which the rashes first appeared is taken into account. Children are characterized by the development of erythema in the cheeks and upper half of the body, while in adults, foci of lichenification predominate (thickening of the skin, disturbed pigmentation). Also, after adolescence, dense, isolated papules begin to appear.
Recurrent (wavy) course of the disease - with periodic exacerbations in the spring-autumn period and remissions in the summer.
The presence of a concomitant atopic disease (for example, atopic asthma, allergic rhinitis) is an additional diagnostic criterion in favor of atopic dermatitis.
The presence of a similar pathology among family members - that is, the hereditary nature of the disease.
Increased dry skin (xeroderma).
Increased pattern on the palms (atopic palms).

These signs are the most common in the clinic of atopic dermatitis.
However, there are also additional diagnostic criteria that also speak in favor of this disease.

Additional signs of atopic dermatitis are:

frequent skin infections (for example, staphyloderma);
recurrent conjunctivitis;
cheilitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the lips);
darkening of the skin around the eyes;
increased pallor or, conversely, erythema (redness) of the face;
increased folding of the neck skin;
dirty neck symptom;
the presence of an allergic reaction to medications;
periodic seizures;
geographical language.

Tests for atopic dermatitis

Objective diagnosis (i.e. examination) of atopic dermatitis is also complemented by laboratory data.

Laboratory signs of atopic dermatitis are:

increased concentration of eosinophils in the blood (eosinophilia);
the presence in the blood serum of specific antibodies to various allergens (for example, pollen, some foods);
decreased level of CD3 lymphocytes;
decrease in CD3/CD8 index;
decreased phagocyte activity.

These laboratory findings should also be supported by skin allergy testing.

Severity of atopic dermatitis

Often atopic dermatitis is combined with damage to other organs in the form of atopic syndrome. Atopic syndrome is the presence of several pathologies at the same time, for example, atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis and intestinal pathology. This syndrome is always much more severe than isolated atopic dermatitis. In order to assess the severity of atopic syndrome, European working group The SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) scale was developed. This scale combines objective ( visible to the doctor signs) and subjective (patient-provided) criteria for atopic dermatitis. The main advantage of using the scale is the ability to assess the effectiveness of treatment.

The scale provides a score for six objective symptoms - erythema (redness), swelling, crusting/scale, excoriation/scratching, lichenification/flaking and dry skin.
The intensity of each of these signs is assessed on a 4-point scale:

0 - absence;
1 – weak;
2 – moderate;
3 – strong.

By summing these scores, the degree of activity of atopic dermatitis is calculated.

The degrees of activity of atopic dermatitis include:

Maximum degree of activity equivalent to atopic erythroderma or widespread process. The intensity of the atopic process is most pronounced in the first age period diseases.
High degree of activity determined by widespread skin lesions.
Moderate degree of activity characterized by a chronic inflammatory process, often localized.
Minimum degree of activity includes localized skin lesions - in infants these are erythematous-squamous lesions on the cheeks, and in adults - local perioral (around the lips) lichenification and/or limited lichenoid lesions in the elbow and popliteal folds.

Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Content

Skin pathologies of an allergic nature cause internal discomfort and cosmetic defects to the patient. Treatment of dermatitis in adults is possible with official medicines And folk remedies against all skin manifestations of the disease. The approach to health problems is comprehensive. Initially identify the main allergen and eliminate pathogenic factor. Then you can use ointments as prescribed for atopic dermatitis in adults.

How to treat dermatitis in adults

The disease is of an allergic nature, so any treatment begins with diet and complete exclusion of the potential allergen and additional intake antihistamines. The doctor carefully studies the external symptoms of dermatitis, recommends undergoing a clinical and laboratory examination to clarify the form of the disease, its characteristics intensive care. With dermatitis, the patient's appearance leaves much to be desired, so it is recommended to act immediately.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults

Dermatitis is a consequence of intoxication of the body, so its treatment in adult patients and children must be comprehensive. Doctors suppress the effect of the allergen with antihistamines, but taking them orally is sometimes not enough to completely heal. Here's what medicines required to be included in the treatment of dermatitis in adults:

Antihistamines for dermatitis: Claritin, Fenistil, Suprastin, L-Cet, Cetrin, Zirtec, Telfast, Loratadine.
Non-hormonal ointments: Protopic, Eplan, Fenistil, Elidel, Losterin, Destin, Thymogen, Naftaderm, Videstim, Isis.
Hormonal ointments for the effective treatment of complicated forms of dermatitis in adults: Elokom, Akriderm, Celestoderm.
Local antiseptics for relieving symptoms of inflammation in adults: Lincomycin and Erythromycin ointment, Celestoderm.
Antibiotics for oral use for complications of dermatitis: Rovamycin, Doxycycline, Sumamed, Zitrolide, Erythromycin.
Probiotics: Bifidobacterin, Linex, Lactobacterin, Acipol to restore intestinal microflora in adults with dermatitis.

Photodermatitis

The main irritant in this clinical picture is the sun's rays and the body's increased sensitivity to them. After infection, the skin will look heterogeneous, bumpy, and the patient experiences an acute sensation of itching, burning, and complains of increased swelling of the inflamed skin. The following medications are recommended as effective treatment:

To eliminate the provoking factor, it is recommended to use products with methyluracil or zinc.
For productive restoration of damaged dermis, Panthenol spray is prescribed externally to pathological lesions.
To strengthen weakened immunity, vitamins of groups C, E, A, B and preparations with x content are appropriate.

Treatment of contact dermatitis

Photodermatitis is an atypical form of contact dermatitis, which is associated with direct interaction with a provoking factor from the environment. The main task of the patient is to exclude contact with the irritant, remove it with medication external symptoms diseases, eliminate their dependence in the future. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications:

Corticosteroids: Advantan, Elokom, Lokoid creams.
Antihistamines: Cetrin, Erius, Claritin, Zyrtec.
Local antiseptics: Burov's liquid.

Seborrheic dermatitis

When oily scales appear on the head, which periodically itch and itch, seborrheic dermatitis is suspected. This is a consequence of increased activity in the body of a yeast fungus that feeds on sebum. Seborrheic dermatitis predominates in children in the first days of life, extremely rarely in adults. Foci of pathology in adults are observed on the eyelids, in all folds of the skin.

To quickly recover from seborrheic dermatitis, the characteristic scales should be treated daily with olive oil so that they fall off quickly and painlessly. Additionally, it is recommended to review the diet, exclude fatty, spicy and smoked products nutrition. You can use special medicated shampoos to moisturize dry skin that is prone to flaking.

Treatment of allergic dermatitis

If the skin is damaged, there is a suspicion of an allergic reaction of the body. This is one of the forms of dermatitis in adults, which requires a revision of daily nutrition to eliminate the pathological process. Synthetic components in food, semi-finished products and preservatives should be completely removed from the daily menu, since more often they become the same irritants. Medical nutrition includes plant foods as a source of antioxidants and natural fiber.

Food dermatitis in adults

This form of dermatitis is chronic, and the patient goes into the category of eternal “allergy sufferers”. To maintain overall health, it is necessary to regularly perform therapeutic and preventive actions. The components of the dishes must be hypoallergenic, otherwise the characteristic rash in different parts of the dermis will bother the patient more and more often. Allergens are often red vegetables and fruits, processed foods and preservatives, citrus fruits and berries.

How to treat toxicoderma

Proper treatment of dermatitis begins with productive elimination dangerous allergen, which entered the body with food or through the respiratory tract with further distribution through the systemic bloodstream. In addition, infection with a toxic substance can occur through injection. For productive treatment A definitely hypoallergenic diet and vitamin intake are required. Available permanent circuit intensive care for adults, which in practice includes the following areas:

home use of cleansing enemas for the productive removal of intoxication products;
internal reception enterosorbents, diuretics, which also remove toxins from the blood and other biological fluids;
administration of a solution of sodium thiosulfate, calcium chloride intravenously in order to strengthen weakened immunity;
taking antihistamines orally: Cetirizine, Tavegil, Loratadine, Claritin, Chloropyramine;
use of glucocorticosteroids in the form of Prednisolone and its derivatives in severe clinical situations.

How to treat dermatitis on the body in an adult

If the disease is detected at an early stage, the use of antihistamines internally and externally is quite sufficient treatment. In complicated clinical pictures with the appearance purulent wounds and exudative rash requires oral administration of antibiotics in the form of tablets and the use of external corticosteroids. If signs of dermatitis are preceded by increased activity of a fungal infection, treatment should include antifungal agents.

Drug treatment

The attending physician decides whether to take hormones or antibiotics, based on the characteristics clinical picture. If there are no complications, the adult patient is prescribed orally antihistamines. These are tablets Claritin, Loratadine, Cetrin, Suprastin, Fenistil, L-Cet, Tavegil and others. The course of intensive therapy varies between 7-14 days and is adjusted by the doctor on an individual basis. If one allergy medicine is not suitable, it must be replaced, taking into account the body's compatibility with the active components.

Additionally, pay attention to representatives of the following pharmacological groups:

sorbents: Enterosgel, Activated carbon;
probiotics: Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Hilak Forte;
antibiotics: Rovamycin, Doxycycline, Sumamed, Zitrolide, Erythromycin;
antiviral drugs: Acyclovir, Famvir, Valtrex, Alpizarin;
multivitamin complexes from dermatitis.

Local treatment

Dermatitis appears not only on the face; the presence of a characteristic rash is possible on the back, buttocks and other parts of the body. If taking pills kills a pathogenic infection from the inside, then the external use of creams and ointments helps to effectively eliminate a cosmetic defect, reduce the intensity of unpleasant sensations, and completely eliminate discomfort from your Everyday life. Here are the medications doctors prescribe for the treatment of dermatitis in adults:

anti-inflammatory drugs: Elokom, Diprosalik or Akriderm;
local products for skin regeneration: Solcoseryl, D-panthenol, Bepanten;
corticosteroid drugs: Elokom, Afloderm, Lokoid, Advantan.
antifungal agents: Triderm, Pimafucort;
local antibiotics: erythromycin ointment;
antimicrobial compounds: Fukortsin;
local antiseptics.

Homeopathy

Use of drugs plant origin appropriate as part of complex treatment, since their independent use for adults gives rather mediocre results. For dermatitis, positive dynamics are provided by herbal remedies with chamomile, string, lemon balm and St. John's wort. Medicines such as calendula-based ointment, extract medicinal chamomile, evening primrose essential oil, stinging nettle.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

To speed up the treatment of dermatitis in adults, it is necessary to undergo a course of special procedures in a hospital setting. Such sessions are prescribed by the attending physician, who also stipulates the number of procedures to achieve the desired effect. Here's what every potential allergy sufferer needs to know:

Electrophoresis with intal, diphenhydramine, calcium chloride reduces the feeling of itching of the skin and relieves swelling.
Ultraviolet irradiation of the skin for relaxation nervous system and elimination unpleasant symptoms dermatitis.
Applications with paraffin or ozokerite to prevent massive peeling of overdried dermis.
Electrosleep with instability of the nervous system and pronounced signs of chronic insomnia in dermatitis in adults.

Treatment of dermatitis in adults with folk remedies

The disease can be eliminated alternative methods, but at an early stage of the pathological process. Treatment of dermatitis is successful if the foci of pathology are regularly treated with decoctions of chamomile, stinging nettle, and string. The composition is being prepared classical method– 1 tbsp. l. raw materials per glass of water, but the amount of the finished medicine depends on the abundance of foci of pathology. An adult should perform home procedures daily, supplementing them with official methods.

Diet

The main goal is to eliminate allergens from the daily menu. For dermatitis in adults and not only food should be hypoallergenic. In order to promptly identify the irritant, during the next attack of dermatitis, for successful treatment, it is recommended to take a blood test to study the pathogenic flora. The daily menu should include vegetable fiber, natural antioxidants, natural vitamins.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis is not a matter of one day. First of all, you need to establish the cause of the rash and the type of allergy, only then proceed to complex treatment. To get rid of atopic dermatitis, it is necessary to follow a diet that eliminates all possible allergens, cleanse the body of toxins, take antihistamines and, in addition, local treatment in areas of redness or rash. Treatment can be supplemented with sedatives and spa therapy.

Diet for the treatment of atopic dermatitis

A one hundred percent method of curing atopic dermatitis simply does not exist in nature. The disease often has a genetic predisposition, and one of the treatment options is to eliminate the causative agent of the disease. In this case, these are allergens. How to identify them?

When introducing the first complementary foods to a baby with allergies, it is important to adhere to the progressive principle, maintain an interval between taking new foods, and record all the consequences, as well as their absence, in the child’s food diary.
Atopic dermatitis can appear at any age, often after suffering from complex diseases and using antibiotics, as well as when the immune system is weakened. In this case, the anti-allergenic diet should be supplemented with yoghurts with beneficial bacteria To restore intestinal balance, you shouldn’t give up vitamins, the main thing is to identify safe foods.
If atopic dermatitis manifests itself, you need to avoid products included in the list of potential allergens. The leading positions belong to citrus fruits, cow's milk, chicken eggs, seafood and peanuts. A more accurate forecast regarding individual intolerance to foods can be given by special blood tests or allergen scrapers.
A baby may develop rashes and itching even during breastfeeding, provided that the mother abuses allergenic foods. In this case, the child’s mother should go on an anti-allergenic diet.

After the allergy symptoms disappear, you can gradually introduce prohibited foods, but in minimal doses and not every day.

Removing toxins from the body with atopic dermatitis

Skin manifestations are only the outer part of the problem. In atopic dermatitis, both the gastrointestinal tract and the liver are out of balance. The culprit is toxins that need to be removed from the body. Enterosorbents and complex purification preparations are used.

Enterosorbents. These drugs not only remove toxins from the body, but also reduce the load on the kidneys, liver and other organs that are involved in the detoxification process. Synthetic sorbents – Enterosgel, Sorbolong. Sorbents of natural origin - activated carbon and its analogues (Sorbex, White Coal, Karbolen), silicon-based preparations (Smecta, Atoxil), based on medicinal plants (Polyphepan, Lacto Filtrum).
Complex cleansing preparations. Only preparations of plant origin are used based on birch and tansy leaves, stigmas and columns of corn, fennel, immortelle, and burdock.

After a course of cleansing the body, it would not be a bad idea to drink probiotics and other drugs that improve intestinal microflora (Bifidumbacterin, Mezim, Laminolact).

Taking antihistamines

These drugs are directed against the product of the allergic reaction – histamine. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation antihistamines. These medications cannot completely rid the patient of the disease; their task is to alleviate the symptoms and relieve discomfort.

Old generation drugs ( Ketotifen, Chloropyramine, Clemastine) . They are inconvenient because they must be taken several times a day, they are addictive and affect general behavior, they often cause drowsiness and it is not recommended to use them while driving. The advantage is the price.
New generation drugs(Suprastin, Loratidin, Erius, ) . Speed of action, minimal dosage, minimal side effects - these are the advantages of this type of drug.

Allergy medication is an important step in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, but be careful when choosing a drug. Antihistamines can cause allergies if one of the components is selected incorrectly or is intolerant. In this case, it is necessary to replace the drug.

Is it possible to cure atopic dermatitis with ointments?

It is not possible to cure dermatitis with ointments alone. Even the most potent remedy will only relieve the rash or redness for a few days. If the allergic reaction in the body progresses, dermatitis may appear elsewhere.

When deciding how to cure atopic dermatitis in a child, you can start with proven folk methods.

Lotions with a decoction of chamomile, string, sage, rubbing problem areas with astringents, such as a decoction of oak bark.
Grinders on an oil (for moistening) or zinc (for drying) basis.
Zinc based pastes.
Nourishing ointments with lanolin and petroleum jelly.
Creams and gels have a lighter structure.
Absorbable patches for thickened areas of skin.

Topical treatments can relieve inflammation (Advantan, medicinal decoctions, Burov's liquid), fight infections (Triderm, Baktobarn, Furacilin, Boric acid), dissolve compactions on the skin (Ichthyol, Methyluracil ointment), relieve itching and burning (Menthol, Camphor, Menovazin).

Sedatives in the fight against atopic dermatitis

Skin rashes can also appear as a result of nervous stress and anxiety. In this case, sedatives (Persen, tincture of valerian, motherwort) and relaxing procedures (pearl baths, hydromassage) would be appropriate.

Spa therapy

The method is effective and extremely useful. For allergy sufferers with dermatous manifestations of the disease, dry sea air and bathing in salty water are recommended. One of the ideal options is the resorts of the Azov region.

Atopic dermatitis, also known as Atopic Eczema (or Atopic Eczema Syndrome), is a skin condition that affects a large number of people.

In most cases, this dermatitis is of allergic origin and mostly affects children. By the age of three, most children recover, but if this does not happen, then the dermatitis becomes chronic, difficult to treat.

Very often, dermatitis accompanies asthma, hay fever and other allergic manifestations and is significantly aggravated during periods of emotional stress. A person suffering from dermatitis is usually very sensitive, and their body releases stress and negative emotions through the skin.

Skin is the most large organ body, which is subject not only external factors, such as allergens or pollution, but also everything that happens in the mind and body.

What causes atopic dermatitis?

As in the cases of asthma and allergic rhinitis, traditional medicine does not know the causes of this skin lesion, and it classifies this disease as chronic.

Atopic dermatitis occurs due to excessive skin sensitivity, and, as a rule, in people predisposed to allergic reactions or in those whose families have a history of allergies.

Dermatitis occurs in many newborns, affecting the face and the surface of the skin in contact with diapers. As a rule, such phenomena occur in childhood or adolescence. However, there are children whose dermatitis remains at a later age. Adults susceptible to allergies may suffer from the disease. Allergy tests in most cases confirm the allergic nature of this disease, although there is dermatitis of nervous origin, which has the symptoms of eczema, but is not associated with an allergy.

There is also contact dermatitis, which is a limited allergic reaction that occurs when you come into contact with an allergen. The most common allergens in this case are metals, latex, clothing made from synthetic fabrics, chemical substances such as formaldehyde from wood materials, chlorinated water or detergents.

Dry skin or the presence of any form of allergy in a family member suffering from allergies can be prerequisites for the development of dermatitis or eczema. But even if you have a predisposition to allergies, your skin will remain in good condition if you stay away from the allergen. However, this is not always possible, as in the case of mites or pollen. In addition, the substance causing the reaction is not always known.

Is atopic dermatitis an allergy?

A few years ago, traditional medicine argued that atopic dermatitis is not an allergic disease, but a manifestation of hypersensitivity, since its connection with IgE antibodies was not detected (mastocytes, that is, cells that interact with IgE, were not found on the skin).

However, scientists have noted the fact that allergens that cause asthma, rhinitis or digestive disorders also have the ability to cause eczema.

This was the case until 1986, when Dutch specialist Carla Bruinsel-Koomen discovered the causes of atopic dermatitis. They turned out to be Langerhans cells, which absorb foreign substances that enter the skin.

The scientist has proven that on the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis there are a huge number of Langerhans cells that carry IgE antibodies. These cells capture allergen proteins and deliver them to immune system cells that cause dermatitis.

For this discovery, Carla Bruinsel-Koomen received the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Prize in 1987.

How does atopic dermatitis manifest?

With atopic or allergic dermatitis skin lesions are usually widespread. Due to the inflammatory process, the skin appears dry and flaky. Typical symptoms are redness, burning, and the formation of blisters containing exudate. The affected area is inflamed and causes severe burning and itching. When scratching, inflammation intensifies and the skin becomes rough.

Scratching the inflamed area leads to infection, which worsens the symptoms. The face, ankles, knees and elbows are usually affected, but other areas of the body may also be affected.

Although atopic eczema is not considered dangerous disease, those who suffer from it usually have trouble sleeping due to the intense burning sensation. As a result, the body is depleted, which leads to nervous tension, irritability and fatigue.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis

Since young children suffer most from atopic dermatitis, first of all, I would like to say a few words about breastfeeding. Of course better nutrition For infant is mother's milk - a fact that does not require proof. Among other things, this is great for newborns. preventative measure from this type of allergy. It has been proven that those children who were fed breast milk in infancy usually do not suffer from atopic dermatitis. Moreover, the percentage of such children increases even more if the mother did not suffer from allergies and did not drink cow's milk.

Breastfeeding is extremely important for strengthening the immune system of children and is recommended to be continued for as long as possible. The mother’s body contains the secret to the good health and strength of her child, so breastfeeding is the duty of every mother, of course, if there are no medical contraindications to this.

As for the treatment of atopic contact eczema, it is very important, as with all diseases of allergic origin, to avoid any contact with the allergen and maintain a positive mental and emotional attitude, since stress and negative emotions can be equated to the most powerful allergen in terms of impact.

In addition, you should adhere to certain rules to rule out any causes of skin irritation. This must be constantly remembered, especially with contact eczema on those areas of the skin that are covered by clothing or shoes.

It is not recommended to wear woolen and synthetic items, as they cause irritation in case of dermatitis. It is better to wear clothes made of silk or cotton. It happens that things made of pure cotton cause allergies, as they are sewn with synthetic threads. These threads can be distinguished by their lighter color. Before putting on a new item, it must be washed and rinsed well to remove factory stains. Moreover, it is very important to do this at home, since the chemicals used in dry cleaning usually cause irritation. Wash with neutral liquid or bar soap, as regular laundry detergents and even bio-based ones can cause a reaction. If cotton clothing does cause allergies, it may be due to the dyes used in the textile industry.

Some people's skin reacts to shoes. This happens because natural leathers are subject to various chemical treatment processes, while artificial leather is synthetic. In addition, shoe glue contains formaldehyde, which causes contact eczema in sensitive people. To insulate the burden from leather or synthetic shoes, you need to wear thick cotton socks.

It is equally important that bed sheets It was made of cotton, but the blankets and bedspreads were not wool. It’s good if the mattress is made from a material of plant origin such as cotton wool, and the blanket is cotton.

As for personal hygiene, regular tap water can cause skin irritation as it contains chlorine and other additives. Since it is not possible to wash with spring water in urban conditions, you should take a shower as quickly as possible and not every day, but every other day. Avoid any cosmetics other than those that do not contain fragrances or chemical additives. Talk to your pharmacist about which products are best to use if you have allergies.

Latex is often the culprit behind contact dermatitis. If you have children, handle this material with great care as a regular pacifier or bottle nipple may cause your child to develop extensive facial eczema. The same thing can happen with baby's teething items and toys.

Another dangerous enemy for people suffering from atopic dermatitis are the chemicals used in furniture making, such as formaldehyde and adhesives. If you have eliminated all possible allergens from your daily routine, but still feel unwell, it is possible that the reason lies in these substances. In the article on allergens, you will learn how you can deal with them.

Traditional medicine

Since traditional medicine does not know the cause of this disease, it focuses its efforts on mitigating the symptoms. For such manifestations, doctors usually prescribe hydrocortisone ointment to reduce skin inflammation, antihistamines to relieve the burning sensation, and antibiotics if the eczema is complicated by infection as a result of scratching the blisters.

Apart from the hassle of the side effects of these medications, treatment with corticoids and antibiotics should be limited to a few days, so the relief they provide will only be temporary.

If the burning sensation causes insomnia, some sleeping pills are prescribed.

Natural Treatments

As a rule, medications are reserved for severe cases, and doctors themselves advise the patient to resort to home remedies to alleviate the burning sensation. It is generally recommended to use medicinal soap or natural oat-based, or soap substitutes. You can wash without soap in warm water, adding 2 full tablespoons of oatmeal to it. To prevent the skin from softening, bathing should not be long. You should wipe off carefully, without rubbing the skin. After bathing, apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer made from natural ingredients such as calendula or vitamin E cream to your skin.

Two home remedies for severe burning include applying ice or onion juice. You can see for yourself how much this alleviates the condition.

Natural nutrition

Although atopic eczema is sometimes caused by allergens such as mites or pollen, statistics show that most cases of dermatitis are still associated with food allergies. And if this is so, then it is best to completely eliminate the dangerous product from the diet and follow the principle of healthy and balanced nutrition, as we have repeatedly repeated throughout the story.

However, in many cases the cause of atopic dermatitis is not clear, although, according to experts, it lies in food intolerance. Then nutritionists advise resorting to an elimination diet.

During this diet, no other treatment aimed at improving the condition of the skin, even natural ones, is allowed. The goal is to identify, by monitoring the condition of the skin, which product excluded from the diet causes dermatitis. If we are talking about food intolerance, improvement will not be long in coming, and very soon the skin will recover and the burning sensation will disappear. Especially good results from the use of this method are observed in children.

The first stage of the elimination diet lasts five days, during which fasting or eating foods that do not cause suspicion are recommended. The basis is usually three or four products (such as rice), which very rarely cause intolerance. This treatment should not be taken lightly - be sure to follow the advice of a specialist in the field of this diet.

At the end of the first stage of fasting or limited nutrition, a significant improvement in the condition is observed. Then other products are gradually introduced. If any of them cause intolerance, eczema will reappear. The reaction to this product occurs instantly within the first minutes or appears after a day or two. So, step by step, the nutritionist will determine a diet, following which you will get rid of skin inflammation and burning. One of the signs indicating that the skin is healing is a change in its color; It will change from bright red to reddish purple. Its structure also changes: it begins to peel off greatly, which indicates that the diseased layer of skin is separated, giving way to a healthy one.

A food intolerance test is very helpful. A study of the effects of one hundred foods and twenty food additives identifies “forbidden foods”, and with the help of dietary nutrition the problem is solved.

The next thing to keep in mind when choosing products is increased content they contain vitamins B, C and calcium, and therefore we recommend eating more fruits and greens, brewer's yeast and cereals. Vitamin B is also found in eggs and milk, but we do not recommend them due to the fact that they often cause allergies.

Marine and freshwater algae are a storehouse of vitamins, minerals and microelements of natural origin. These aquatic plants supply a huge amount of important minerals, and their concentration in algae is much higher than in other natural products. It is important to include seaweed in your daily diet, but to get used to its distinctive taste, eat it in small quantities at first. Their outstanding benefits in the treatment of allergies include the fact that they help eliminate metals, toxic substances and toxins from the body and help maintain the skin in good condition.

Heliotherapy

Sunlight is a source of energy. It helps synthesize vitamins, activates the hypothalamus and strengthens the skin, but exposure to solar radiation should only be within reasonable limits. If you live in a sunny climate zone, take advantage of this by taking daily walks. In the summer, try to do them before ten o'clock in the morning and avoid going outside an hour before noon and in the early afternoon hours, when the sun is too hot. In winter, on the contrary, there is nothing better than a walk in the afternoon. The time of exposure to sunlight should be increased gradually, starting from ten minutes and increasing to one hour over two weeks.

If your rhythm of life or the climate of your region does not allow you to receive these life-giving sun baths, you can resort to artificial irradiation in special centers, where modern artificial light lamps will have almost the same beneficial effect as the real sun. However, in any case, try not to miss the opportunity of natural insolation.

If you are thinking of sunbathing, it is better to choose the beach for this. Solar procedures in the highlands are very useful for various health disorders, including respiratory diseases. They also stimulate metabolism, improve appetite and immune system activity. However, the sea coast has a particularly beneficial effect on skin problems due to a certain level of humidity, constant temperature and the combined action of ultraviolet rays and iodine.

Of course, if you are allergic to the sun, you should not resort to such procedures, unless in very small doses and under the supervision of a specialist.

Dermatologists and therapists have proven that exposure to sunlight improves the condition of atopic eczema. Skin dryness, roughness, pigmentation and itching are reduced. This is due to the fact that the sun activates peripheral blood circulation, due to which the skin is better supplied with oxygen and nutrients. In addition, the sun stimulates the production of melanin pigment, which also strengthens the skin.

In addition, sunlight entering the hypothalamus through the eyes promotes the production of important hormones. As you know, this gland is the center that controls the mind, so the sun improves inner self-awareness.

Homeopathy

Atopic eczema can be successfully treated using constitutional homeopathic method. To do this, you need to contact a good homeopath who can choose the right treatment. Moreover, it is important not only to choose a remedy that suits the constitution, but also to prevent a “homeopathic complication” that will worsen the condition of the skin during the initial period of treatment.

Herbal medicine and lotions

Medicinal plants can provide significant assistance in the treatment of dermatitis. Their healing properties are used not only by consuming infusions, but also by direct impact on the affected areas of the skin to alleviate the condition and relieve inflammation. Lotions made from medicinal herbs have anti-inflammatory, softening, bactericidal and soothing effects. Take advantage of their beneficial properties.

Contact a herbalist who will advise, taking into account the characteristics of your disease, which herbs are best to choose and how to prepare an infusion from them.

Stinging nettle	Reduces burning sensation
bear ear	Prevents infection of skin lesions. The affected areas should be washed with a decoction of the leaves.
borage	Tones the skin. Can be taken internally as an infusion or externally while bathing.
Laurel	Prevents infection and restores skin. The leaves are infused in olive oil or added to bathing water.
Mallow	An excellent emollient. Use as a cold compress made from a decoction of leaves and flowers.
Elder	Has anti-inflammatory properties. Use young leaves for lotions.
Arnica	It has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect. You can take it orally in the form of an infusion, as well as during bathing and in the form of lotions.
Bearberry	Has an astringent and bactericidal effect. For eczema it is used externally.
Hop	Thanks to its calming effect, it helps to fall asleep and normalizes sleep. Due to its high zinc content, it is very effective for the external treatment of eczema.
Clover	It has an astringent and healing effect, helping to restore the skin to its original appearance. Used for lotions.

Fireweed oil is produced from primrose flowers, which is wide application in natural medicine and, among other things, in the treatment of atopic and contact eczema. Use this oil for three to four months (at least). Itching, dryness and flaking of the skin will disappear. The healing properties of primrose are comparable to the anti-inflammatory effect of ointments based on corticoids or immunomodulators. Therefore, we highly recommend this effective natural remedy to relieve the painful symptoms of dermatitis.